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Why we think something is going on between the Rockets and the national media

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Why are the Rockets so heavily criticized? Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images

Let's face it. Houston has an inferiority complex when it comes to the national media's coverage of their sports teams. Fans of the local teams do not like the way national media covers, or doesn't cover, the teams here. While I do agree there can be a lack of respect and attention paid to teams here, let's not act like the local teams have given them much to desire. Save the Astros current run, the Rockets have been abysmal and the Texans have been a joke.

The Astros threw in a scandal to spice things up. All that did was call into question their credibility. They gave everyone a major “eff you” this past season. The Texans are on the cuff of something special, but it took a while to clean up the mess that was left behind. The Rockets were good in the Harden years, but failed to win a title. When he wanted out, things took a turn for the worse. Eventually, they'll bounce back with the building blocks in place.

That's where the national media has been unfair. My really close personal friend, Ken Hoffman (we text all the time), recently wrote about the outlandish take Pardon the Interruption cohost Tony Kornheiser put out about the Rockets. Kornheiser thinks Adam Silver doesn't want Victor Wembanyama in Houston because Tilman Ferttita doesn't know what he's doing. What?!? You mean the man who's built an extremely successful hospitality empire that's made him a billionaire owner of an NBA franchise? One thing that sticks out about Hoffy's article are the quotes from an NBA insider he spoke with. They contradict everything Kornheiser said. (Side Note: Don't call him Hoffy. He prefers Mr. Hoffman, or Ken. Only real friends can call him that.)

Another national media member to get something wrong about the Rockets was ESPN's Brian Windhorst. He added a line in a story about Jabari Smith Jr's development that said head coach Stephen Silas broke down after a game because he's been unable to reach this team. FAKE NEWS! That story was from two years prior and was refuted by Silas himself recently! There was no need to add that in the story. We all know and can see the frustration on Silas' face after every loss. The joy and elation after wins is evident as well. Why sensationalize an already rocky situation?

It even bled over into former Rocket player turned TNT analyst Kenny Smith. He recently blasted the Rockets as “one of the worst teams in professional sports.” I think the NFL's Commanders would like a word with Mr. Smith, so would MLB's Marlins. I could name several others, but you get the point. They aren't the best team in the league. In fact, their record says they're the worst. But to say one of the worst in pro sports seems a bit harsh. Especially considering the run they've been on since the All Star break.

Bottom line is these national media members talk with a whole lot of hot air in their hot takes. They spew whatever venom they want and think it'll get by without being checked. When players like Draymond Green and Brandon Ingram speak highly about this team right after playing them, that says something. Players will talk trash and go out of their way to diss other players in the name of competition. But when they make it a point to heap praise on an up-and-coming team/players, it hits different. Contrary to popular national media belief, this team is on the come up. Let them keep spitting their hot garbage. When they add another supremely talented rookie and some vets to this lineup, I want them to keep that same energy. Make sure you guys keep the receipts. I think we'll be making some returns in the near future.

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The Texans are the class of the division. Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images.

The Houston Texans received a lot of praise for their moves in free agency across various outlets. And for good reason, most people believe the team got significantly better with the additions of Danielle Hunter, Azeez Al-Shaair, and Denico Autry among others.

But there's another factor to consider this offseason. How much have the other teams in the AFC South improved?

When looking at the PFF grades in free agency, the Colts received a B-minus. Most of the Colts moves this offseason involved spending a lot of money re-signing their own players. Which is great in theory, but it's hard to improve the overall quality of your roster when you're bringing back players that were already there to begin with. A lot will be riding on player development for the Colts to see a big jump this season. A healthy quarterback wouldn't hurt either.

The Jaguars have made some big additions financially this offseason by signing receiver Gabe Davis and defensive tackle Arik Armstead. They also lost the top receiver on the market, Calvin Ridley, to the Titans. Gabe Davis wasn't able to establish himself as a reliable No. 2 receiver with Josh Allen throwing him the ball in Buffalo. So it's hard to believe he'll take the next step in Jacksonville. Their best move of the offseason might have been retaining edge rusher Josh Allen by using the franchise tag on him. So what did PFF think of Jacksonville's offseason? They received a B-minus, just like the Colts.

The Titans have a lot of turnover heading into the 2024 season, and not just on the roster. They have a new head coach in Brian Callahan, who's looking to revamp Tennessee's offense. Early in free agency, they agreed to terms with former Cowboys running back Tony Pollard, signing him to a 3-year deal at $8 million per season. Which is more money than the Ravens are paying for Derrick Henry, who left the Titans in free agency. Calvin Ridley was the most notable addition to the squad, he received a 4-year, $92 million deal. And while this could be viewed as an overpay, at least he gives the Titans' offense some upside. Their receiving corps looks a lot more dangerous with Ridley added to DeAndre Hopkins and Treylon Burks.

They also spent big at the center position, adding Lloyd Cushenberry on a 4-year, $50 million contract.

Because the Titans spent a lot of money on some highly coveted players, PFF gave them a B.

Now that brings us to the Texans. The Texans re-signed some of their own players like Dalton Schultz and Noah Brown. But they also made some big splashes with Hunter, Autry, Al-Shaair, and Joe Mixon. But the Texans spent their money in a more conservative way by not handing out many contracts over two years in length.

The Texans managed to add the best pass rusher in free agency with Hunter, but it's only a two-year deal. The overall talent level is going up on this roster, and GM Nick Caserio isn't having to sign players to long contracts that could come back and haunt him.

That's why we're seeing post-free agency power rankings coming out with Houston in the Top 10. And that's also why PFF gave the Texans an A for their moves in free agency.

Be sure to check out the video above as Craig from Sports Talk Extra takes an in-depth look at PFF's grades for the AFC South, and much more!

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